PENETANGUISHENE – There are few community issues that can propel people out of their chairs faster than the potential loss of their high school.
On Tuesday evening, on the coldest night of the year to date, the Penetanguishene council chamber was filled with parents, teachers and even a couple of students of Penetanguishene Secondary School for a meeting hosted by Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) trustee Michele Locke.
While Locke stressed the only issue at hand is a proposed accommodation review committee (ARC), many in the audience of about 45 people said they believe a decision has already been made to close PSS and merge it with Midland Secondary School.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Locke said on numerous occasions. “As part of the SCDSB capital plan, a letter went out describing the process. What 11 trustees are voting on … is whether or not to set up an ARC.”The Mirror went to press before the result of the Wednesday night vote was known.
Lynne Paquette said she and husband Steve have one child enrolled at PSS and “three more coming.”
“People want to live where their school is,” she said. “We would like to see (PSS) remain open and expand the use of a shuttle bus taking students back and forth between Penetanguishene and Midland.”
“Penetanguishene needs an English high school,” Steve Paquette added. “People looking to relocate want to have a high school for their children. We could lose the potential for growth and there would be a ripple effect on the economy.”
Penetanguishene Mayor Gerry Marshall agreed.
“Having a high school in your community is very important,” he said. “What annoys me is these decisions are always coming up in January. The result is less students sign up at PSS.”
Numerous members of the audience also referred to the board’s capital plan, noting MSS has been recommended for a $15-million renovation, raising worries about the future of PSS.
Earlier this week, Locke met with the student councils of both schools.
“They asked some amazing questions and brought questions from other students,” said Locke, who also met with PSS teachers on Wednesday afternoon. “I tried to dispel some of the rumours that were going around, such as PSS would be closing this year, that it was a done deal and the school board has always wanted to close PSS.”
Former trustee Brad Saunders, who is now a Penetanguishene councillor, explained to the crowd that several years ago, he dealt with talk of a possible closure of PSS.
“ARC can be a difficult process,” Saunders stated. “We learned at the time not to bite off more than you can chew – and it was at the time. Ten years ago, school boards could close schools with no consultation. The (provincial) government brought in ARCs so no school boards can pull a fast one like in the old days. Part of the problem is the provincial funding formula that gives preferential funding to French-language schools.”
“We need to look at fresh stats,” Locke said. “What I want is the best education for our kids. This is more than just a Penetang issue. Three communities go into PSS. Seven go into MSS. The ARC is about getting these 10 communities together.”
Locke was urged several times to bring an amendment before her fellow trustees to defer the ARC process.
Sisters Anneli and Kristiina Desroches attended the meeting with their father, Gerard. Both teens said they enjoy attending PSS.
“It’s a small school environment that I really like,” said Anneli, 16. “I can walk to school and it adds to the community.”
Kristiina, a Grade 9 student, said, “I like the fact I could graduate with both English and French and have jobs because I’m bilingual. The teachers have helped me a lot. Kids have been talking about the school closing. Some Grade 9s have said maybe they shouldn’t have come here (to PSS).”